Beadwork from South Africa

The beadwork from Africa is probably best-known from South Africa where geometric patterns and bright colours have come to symbolise the country.

In this article, from Google Arts and Culture, pieces from Iziko Museums of South Africa are shown along with texts about the various people who make and wear the beadwork. Another article from the same source takes a wider view, showing pieces from across the continent, including some astonishing corsets for men from South Sudan.

The beads are not only beautiful in their patterns and colours but also often carry meanings. This article from Victoria Museums in Australia explains more about the use of beads for, amongst other things, courtship amongst Zulu people. There are more images of the pieces in the collections below the article.

African beadwork has lent itself well to fashion. It has influenced fabric design as well as being used in its own right. While that may be viewed as appropriation on occasion, sometimes its use celebrates and educates. This piece in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum comes from Laduma Ngxokolo, who founded the South African knitwear brand MAXHOSA AFRICA in 2012. Called Apropriyeyshin Dress, the garment references both his Xhosa heritage and Western fashion.